Rickie Lee Jones New Al*** - Balm in Gilead
Posted by: Simon Matthews on 04 November 2009
If you go to a link via her web site you can listen to the whole album.
I think I am always looking out for Pirates mkII so I always have to adjust my expectations. More melodic and easier on the ear than Sermon on Exposition Boulevard. A couple of tracks drifted by me on the first listen but are starting to take shape after a second play through.
The track her dad wrote (the moon is made of gold) is gorgeous as is 'Bonfires'. I think this album is going to be a real grower. For her fans all her albums are must haves!
Seeing her next week - can't wait!
I think I am always looking out for Pirates mkII so I always have to adjust my expectations. More melodic and easier on the ear than Sermon on Exposition Boulevard. A couple of tracks drifted by me on the first listen but are starting to take shape after a second play through.
The track her dad wrote (the moon is made of gold) is gorgeous as is 'Bonfires'. I think this album is going to be a real grower. For her fans all her albums are must haves!
Seeing her next week - can't wait!
Posted on: 04 November 2009 by BigH47
quote:Seeing her next week - can't wait!
Me(and a few others)too.
I'll have a listen. Hopefully it will be on sale at the gig.
Posted on: 04 November 2009 by jayd
quote:The track her dad wrote (the moon is made of gold) is gorgeous
That song has been around a while - I have a version she recorded with Rob Wasserman in 1988 on his album "Duets". One of my favorites - I'll have to see how the new version stacks up.
Posted on: 04 November 2009 by winkyincanada
I saw her many years ago at the Hordern Pavilion. A very memorable evening. Great music but she was bit spaced out at times. I think she's settled down a little now. I loved SOEB but like Simon, am always looking for P2.
Posted on: 07 November 2009 by MilesSmiles
I'm looking forward to next week. 
Posted on: 09 November 2009 by bdnyc
Not only do I really like her new CD, I can strongly recommend going to see her in this tour, if you can, as she is on the road with a far more interesting band, at least to me, then the one she toured with for Exposition over the last few years. She has Rob Wasserman on bass, and a small ensemble of excellent players who move around a bit between different instruments. Instead of a lead guitarist, she played most of the guitar parts, and I was pleasantly surprised how well she plays. She and the band did a very moving meditation on her new song "The Blue Ghazel" with Rickie Lee on electric guitar, and it was stunning. The show is nicely divided between the new record and a rich cross section of her older material. Go see if her if you can.
Good listening,
Bruce
Good listening,
Bruce
Posted on: 09 November 2009 by BigH47
quote:Go see if her if you can
OK I'll go on Wednesday.
Posted on: 10 November 2009 by ewemon
Haven't played it again since I first got it but will need to give it a another listen again.
I have official copies of her 3 gigs at the Le Poisson club from last year. Where she had a stripped down band and you could see the development of the material over 3 different nights. It is obvious she is searching for a new sound.
Living it Up had an almost disco beat. She structurally changed most of the songs and allowed the band freedom to express themselves. In fact you can hear her actually encourage a guitarist to keep playing during one song.
By the third gig I personally think she is on fire.
I have official copies of her 3 gigs at the Le Poisson club from last year. Where she had a stripped down band and you could see the development of the material over 3 different nights. It is obvious she is searching for a new sound.
Living it Up had an almost disco beat. She structurally changed most of the songs and allowed the band freedom to express themselves. In fact you can hear her actually encourage a guitarist to keep playing during one song.
By the third gig I personally think she is on fire.
Posted on: 10 November 2009 by DenisA
Ewen,
You have set the scene wonderfully. Looking forward to meeting the gang tomorrow night. As it's a posh venue I'll polish my trainers and promote Naim with my BBQ shirt
Denis
You have set the scene wonderfully. Looking forward to meeting the gang tomorrow night. As it's a posh venue I'll polish my trainers and promote Naim with my BBQ shirt
Denis
Posted on: 10 November 2009 by Ian G.
RLJ advertised as on 'Later with JH' tonight at 10pm BBC2.
Posted on: 10 November 2009 by bdnyc
Ewemon-
How is the sound of the "official bootlegs" from Rickie Lee's web store? I have been tempted by some of the shows from tours I really liked, but haven't bought any yet.
For what it is worth, one of the things I like the most about RLJ is how willing she is to experiment and try different things. Some shows of hers have really grabbed me, some don't, some records really capture my attention at first, some take longer, some haven't at all, but she is way more willing to follow her muse than most artists.
To our friends in England, enjoy her upcoming shows!
Bruce
How is the sound of the "official bootlegs" from Rickie Lee's web store? I have been tempted by some of the shows from tours I really liked, but haven't bought any yet.
For what it is worth, one of the things I like the most about RLJ is how willing she is to experiment and try different things. Some shows of hers have really grabbed me, some don't, some records really capture my attention at first, some take longer, some haven't at all, but she is way more willing to follow her muse than most artists.
To our friends in England, enjoy her upcoming shows!
Bruce
Posted on: 12 November 2009 by Simon Matthews
She sounded on great form last night in London. A really subtle and beautifully played gig. Her voice was in great form and she seemed in a happy space.
I particularly loved the moment where she instructed a few members to stop badly clapping over a song. It was also evident that on some songs her guitarist and bass player didn't quite know what she was going to do next. That sense of walking on a high wire gave the night an added energy. As long as she keeps coming back I will always love to see her play.
I particularly loved the moment where she instructed a few members to stop badly clapping over a song. It was also evident that on some songs her guitarist and bass player didn't quite know what she was going to do next. That sense of walking on a high wire gave the night an added energy. As long as she keeps coming back I will always love to see her play.
Posted on: 12 November 2009 by MilesSmiles
Great gig indeed, she sounded great and I liked the set she was playing. The clapping by a few rhythmically challenged folks was a bit annoying.
Posted on: 12 November 2009 by mudwolf
She is always interesting tho I don't have any of her latest stuff. Can you imagine someone in the audience throwing off your internal beat with new material?
Glad she stopped them. I read about 3 shows she did here in LA and each night was different and she'd work with the band and stop if she wanted and encourage them to improvise, Wish I'd been there.
Years ago she had a more contemporary sound on Austin City Limits show. Glad I caught that.
Glad she stopped them. I read about 3 shows she did here in LA and each night was different and she'd work with the band and stop if she wanted and encourage them to improvise, Wish I'd been there.
Years ago she had a more contemporary sound on Austin City Limits show. Glad I caught that.
Posted on: 12 November 2009 by ewemon
Truly wish I had been there.
In answer to bdnyc's question. Some are good and some are not. Don't expect Hi Fi quality.
One strange thing I noticed tonight is that she is no longer currently listed on Great Big Island if you go to them direct as selling her official boot cd's from there. She is still listed in the MP3 section.
However if you click the store link on her web site you get taken to a page on Great Big Island.
I always get suspicious when that happens as it maybe that she will stop selling them shortly. I have seen this happen before with another couple fo artists.
The boots are sent to you on cheap cdr's so transfer them to something like a Taiyo Yuden cdr when you get them using EAC. Just to protect them.
In answer to bdnyc's question. Some are good and some are not. Don't expect Hi Fi quality.
One strange thing I noticed tonight is that she is no longer currently listed on Great Big Island if you go to them direct as selling her official boot cd's from there. She is still listed in the MP3 section.
However if you click the store link on her web site you get taken to a page on Great Big Island.
I always get suspicious when that happens as it maybe that she will stop selling them shortly. I have seen this happen before with another couple fo artists.
The boots are sent to you on cheap cdr's so transfer them to something like a Taiyo Yuden cdr when you get them using EAC. Just to protect them.
Posted on: 13 November 2009 by connon price
I bought the first performance from La Poisson the day after the show via download. I think it is in 192 mp3 but might be higher. Sounds really quite good for a from the hip live gig. Sounds very good through HDX but looking forward to a new listen through the DAC. It is one long file though so impossible to skip to songs, but maybe that was intentional. Are the CD versions broken down? Is the CD version full 16/44 res? It was really cool to hear a show played the night before in NY on my stereo the next day. I think she has streamed a performance live recently.
Bruce and all, very envious. Hope she comes through Seattle on this tour.
By the way, have any of you read the reviews of her albums on All Music Guide. Most are written by an idiot who seems to have no understanding of her music, the arc of her career, or why she is important to a musically astute audience and continually has great people playing with her.
She rocks. Saw her on the Ghostyhead tour the night before the album came out. Mind officially blown.
Bruce and all, very envious. Hope she comes through Seattle on this tour.
By the way, have any of you read the reviews of her albums on All Music Guide. Most are written by an idiot who seems to have no understanding of her music, the arc of her career, or why she is important to a musically astute audience and continually has great people playing with her.
She rocks. Saw her on the Ghostyhead tour the night before the album came out. Mind officially blown.
Posted on: 14 November 2009 by northpole
Just watched Later on the Beeb's iplayer - RLJ sang a lovely song - worth checking it out on the internet.
Peter
Peter
Posted on: 14 November 2009 by ewemon
quote:Originally posted by connon price:
I bought the first performance from La Poisson the day after the show via download. I think it is in 192 mp3 but might be higher. Sounds really quite good for a from the hip live gig. Sounds very good through HDX but looking forward to a new listen through the DAC. It is one long file though so impossible to skip to songs, but maybe that was intentional. Are the CD versions broken down? Is the CD version full 16/44 res? It was really cool to hear a show played the night before in NY on my stereo the next day. I think she has streamed a performance live recently.
Bruce and all, very envious. Hope she comes through Seattle on this tour.
By the way, have any of you read the reviews of her albums on All Music Guide. Most are written by an idiot who seems to have no understanding of her music, the arc of her career, or why she is important to a musically astute audience and continually has great people playing with her.
She rocks. Saw her on the Ghostyhead tour the night before the album came out. Mind officially blown.
If you download the free programme Audacity you can split the tracks easily.